North County Real Estate News February 2014 Issue Vol.1 | Page 6

hOmE SpACE Bathroom Remodeling Trends by Angie Hicks O pen the door and say, “ah.” Your master bath can be more than just functional; it could be a spa. Bathroom remodeling continues to be one of the most popular home improvement projects. It ranks consistently among the top 10 most reviewed categories on Angie’s List, which has more than 700 home and health categories. If you’re moving beyond the imagining stage and are ready to get serious about renovating a bathroom, here are trends and tips to keep in mind, compiled by our consumer research team. What you can do with a bathroom depends on its size and who’s using it. Hall bathrooms are commonly used by kids and guests, and an update may be focused more on making the most of a high-traffic, cramped room. Ideas include replacing a mirror with a medicine chest faced with a mirror, or replacing a pedestal sink with a vanity that has cabinet space. A master bathroom, however, is usually larger and more private. It’s a likely candidate for a spa makeover. Some ideas from highly rated remodelers: • Upgrade with granite or solidsurface materials. delays or miscommunications? How did the contractor handle requested changes? • Focus less on the latest design trend or fad, and more on elements, • Get at least three written estimates fixtures, and colors that will stand the that clearly define the project and test of time. what materials will be used. • Incorporate universal design— which is in tended to ensure that a project is useful for people of all ages, abilities, and sizes. Among the ideas: Replace lower toilets or sinks with taller options that require less stooping or bending. Plan to do your homework before starting the project. Be realistic about your budget. The average cost of bath remodeling in 2013 was $18,538, down slightly from 2012, according to the National Kitchen & Bath Association. • Make sure you can reach a contractor when you need to. • Be sure the contractor you hire is appropriately licensed, insured, and bonded. Bathroom remodeling work often requires electrical and plumbing work—two of the most often regulated trades. • For most bathroom remodeling projects, expect to pay about 10 percent or more of the total project amount as a deposit. Never pay more than a third of the total Before you start talking to contractors: cost as a down payment, and never pay in cash. Be aware that • Check websites and magazines for especially in bathroom remodeling, designs and ideas. Research materials contractors will frequently find and products at showrooms and retail hidden problems that need to be stores. This will help contractors addressed. Adding an additional 10 more accurately estimate the time to 20 percent to the project budget and cost for your project. can help reduce the strain of these types of problems. • Talk to neighbors, friends, and family about their projects. Check • Plan for stress. How will the project contractors’ reviews on a trusted change your routine, especially with • Replace the tub with a luxury shower online review site. the bathroom? Where will materials featuring multiple showerheads and be stored? What are the working handheld sprayers, or a large rain• Get multiple bids and ask for and hours for the crew? n style shower head. check references. Questions to ask include: Did the contractor © 2013 Distributed by McClatchy• Create a fresh, clean look with a meet expectations? Were there Tribune Information Services frameless glass shower door. EnergyEfficiency Tax Credits by Angie Hicks If you’re considering a home-improvement project that will cut energy costs, it’s not too late to take advantage of special federal tax credits. But be aware that time is running out. The residential energy-efficiency tax credit had been set to expire at the end of 2011. But early this year, as part of the “fiscal cliff ” deal, Congress extended it to include projects undertaken during tax years 2012 and 2013. To qualify for the tax credits—which reimburse homeowners 10 percent of the cost of an Energy Starqualifying home improvement project, up to $500—the improvement must have been made in 2012 or 2013. here’s a list of products and appliances that may qualify for a tax credit, but keep in mind that the total credit can’t exceed $500: • Insulation or insulating material, 10 percent of cost. • Exterior window or skylight, 10 percent of cost, up to $200. • Exterior door, 10 percent of cost. • Metal roof with pigmented coating, or asphalt roof with cooling granules, 10 percent of the cost. • Advanced main air circulating fan, $50. • Natural gas, propane, or oil furnace or hot water boiler, $150. • Electric heat pump water heater, $300. • Electric heat pump, $300. • Central air conditioner, $300. • Natural gas, propane, or oil water heater, $300. • Biomass stove, $300. Here are basic facts about the tax credit, compiled by our consumer-services research team: Taxpayers who took advantage of the full original tax credits from 2006 to 2011 are not eligible for the entire credit. However, if you only used $200 of the credit during that time period, you would still be eligible for $300 this time around. In order to receive the tax credit for various home improvement projects, the work must have been done in 2013 and it must be claimed on the 2013 federal income tax form, which is due to be filed by April 15, 2014. To take advantage of the credits, fill out IRS Form 5695 and provide a copy of the Manufacturer’s Certification Statement, along with a receipt. Your service provider should be able to help you with the certification statement. To qualify for the credit, the energy-efficient product must be installed in the taxpayer’s primary, owned residence, and must have an expected life span of at least five years. Usually, labor costs don’t count toward taxcredit eligibility. Also, each improvement must meet government energy-efficiency ratings. For example, a natural gas, propane, or oil water heater must have an “energy factor” of at least 0.82 or a thermal efficiency rating of at least 90 percent. A biomass stove, meanwhile, would need a thermal efficiency rating of at least 75 percent. For more information, visit energystar.gov. Another source of help would be a certified tax accountant. n © 2013 Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services 6